Hitch



lJuly 25, 1944.

BITCH Filed Aug. 3l, 1942 Patented .hay l25, 1944 Y UNITED s'i-'Aras PATENT carica ff 'Apirlon zum, i942, serial No. 456,7'13,y l

19 Claims.

This invention relates to a nach and more particularly t'o a hitch of the type includingtherein means for actuating the braking mechanism. of a trailing vehicle, the hitch forming a con- (Cl. ISB-142) Brieny and speciflcauy, these .and otherr objects and features are achieved in one preferred form of the invention by the provision of a hitch comprising a pair of relatively movable hitch nectionbetween the trailing vehicle and a tow- 6 parts connected together for cushioned relative :ving vehicle. movement in` at least two opposite directions In general, the principal problems encountered along the line of draft between a trailer and a in the construction of a hitch of the type retowing vehicle. One ofthe hitch parts carries ferred to center about a design that permits a roller slidable therewith'and engageable with relative movement of the towing vehicle and traill0 a swingable arm included as part of a leverageer toward each other as the speed of the trailer increasing` or toggle mechanism carried by the increases beyond that of the towing vehicle. 'I'his other hitch part, thisv mechanism being approrelative movement is permitted between a pair priately associated with means for actuating the of hitch parts respectively connected to the towtrailer brakes. The forward end of one of the ing vehicle and the trailer, and suchmovement l5 hitch parts is provided with a supplemental poris ordinarily utilized to eil'ect the operation of tion pivoted thereto on a vertical axis, this means the brake mechanism of the trailer for the purbeing normally held in position against pivoting pose of slowing down' the trailer to prevent forbut releasable to pivot with respect to said hitch ward surge thereof. Heretofore no little diilipart upon an excess of force applied to the hitch culty has been experienced in providing adequate 20 in a direction transversely of the line of draft. brake-actuating mechanism, principally because A further and more complete understanding .of the various factors to be` considered, such as of. the invention may be had from the following the desirable amount of relative movement to detailed description of a preferred embodiment be permitted between'v the hitch parts, the factors of the invention as illustrated in the accompanyof leverage between the forces applied by the 25 ingsheet of drawings,inwhich: hitch part and the forces applied to the trailer Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a trailer brakes, and various incidental factors relating having a hitch embodying one form of the ingenerally to the association between the hitch ventiom. parts. Figure 2 is an enlarged view, partly in section, The principal object of the present invention 30 showing the details of the hitch construction is to provide an improved hitch of the type reand of the brake-actuating mechanism: ferred to. y Figure 3 is a schematic view illustrating one Another important object isto provide such form lof fluid braking system forthe trailer; a hitch with improved brake-actuating mecha- Figure 4 is a view of the forward portion of the nism. a5 hitch showing the construction thereof with re- Another important object is t0 'provide brakespect to the safety means for preventing acciactuating mechanism capable of exerting subdental damage to the hitch by forces applied stantial forces in relation to comparatively little thereto in a direction transversely of the line relative movement between the hitch parts. of draft; and

Another object is to include in the brakeac 4o VFigure 5 is a transverse 4sectional view on a tuating mechanism means including a toggle careduced scale taken on the line 5-5 of Figpable of rapidly increasing theratio between the ure 2. v force applied to the actuating mechanism and The trailer chosen for the purposes of illusthe force applied by said mechanism to the trailer tration is of a type well known commercially and brakes. 45 includes a longitudinal body Il carried on steel'-v Another object is to provide a hitch having a ablefront wheels il and rear wheels |2. The pair of hitch parts relatively movable in oppohitch is indicated generally 'at I3 and extends site directions along the line of draft and to forwardly of the trailer and is adapted to bel provide improved resilient or cushion means for connected tothe rear of atowing vehicle. taking up shocks between these parts. 50 As best shown in Figure 2, the hitch I3 com- Still another object lies in the provision of an Prises a rear hitch Part 0r member H and a improved hitch part construction providing re' front hitch Dart 0r member l5. I leasable means guarding against the breakage of yThe rear hitchl part is preferably tubular in the hitch by forces applied thereto transversely CIOSS-Sectnbnd carries at the forward end of the line of draft. B5 thereof a housing structure II. This housing comprises a plurality of parts associated together to provide an enclosure for the working parts of the hitch structure and the brake-actuating mechanism, as will presently appear.

The housing I6 includes a rearward wall portion I1 rigidly carried by the front end of the rear hitch part I4. A second generally vertical wall I8 is spaced forwardly from the wall I1, and these walls are rigidly interconnected by a longitudinally extending, vertically disposed side wall I3. Another side wall I3a may be arranged over and between the walls I1 and I8, for the purpose ofv completing the enclosure provided by the housing, as shown in Figure 5. The walls I1 and I8 are further connected at their bottoms by a longitudinally extending plate 20 having an upper inner bearing surface 2l, the function of which will be described later. A second plate 22 underlies the plate 28 and extends between the wall I8 and an intermediate portion of the rear hitch part I4, at which point the housing structure includes clamp means 23 providing additional means for securing the housing I6 to the rear hitch part I4.

` The front. hitch part I includes a main hitch member 24 comprising a rod extending longitudinally through an opening 25 in the front i wall I8 of the housing and further extending within the tubular forward portion of the hitch part I4. The rearward end of the rod 24 is threaded and provided with a nut 26 that ilts inside a socket member 21 which is in turn slidably carried in the tubular hitch part I4.

An intermediate member in the form of a sleeve 28 encircles the rod 24 and is carried slidably by the front wall I8 of the housing I8 in the opening 25 thereof. The rear portion of the sleeve extends just within the forward end of the tubular hitch part I4 and is threaded and provided with a nut 23. The extreme forward end of the sleeve 28 has rigidly secured thereto as by welding a transverse plate 30. The plate is apertured and the rod or hitch member 24 extends therethrough and is provided with an eye portion apertured on a vertical axis to receive a connecting means in the form of a vertical pin 32 threaded at one end and carrying a nut 33. The pin 'or bolt 32 serves to connect to the eye 3| of the rod 24 a pair of vertically spaced clevis plates 34, both of which are apertured'vertically to provide means for connecting the hitch I3 to a towing vehicle.

As best shown in Figure 4, the rear ends of the clevis plates 34 abut the transverse plate 38 on the sleeve 28 in'such a manner that the connection between the plates 34, the rod 24, and the sleeve 28 is normally rigid. For this purpose the rear end of each clevis plate is provided with a transverse rear portion 35 that normally abuts the front walls of the transverse plate 38. The portion 35 terminates at its opposite ends in cutaway corner portions 33, each of which is arranged at an angle to the transverse portion 35. The arrangement of and cooperation between the portions 35 and 36 and the transverse plate 33 provide, in conjunction with a resilient means to be presently described, release means adapting the clevis plates 34 to pivot about the pin or bolt 32 with respect to` the hitch part 24 upon excessive forces applied to the hitch in a direction transversely of the line of draft between the towing and trailing vehicles.

Cushion or resilient means in the form of a coil spring 31 is arranged between the socket member21 Ion the rod 24 and the nut 23 on Vthehitch parts 24 and I4.

vtain the hitch plates 34 normally against the transverse plate 33 so that the transverse portion 35 of each plate 34 engages the front wall v of the plate 3l),` thus maintaining the plates 34 in longitudinal alinement with the rod 24.` Since the rod 24 is slidable longitudinally with respect to the sleeve 28, it will be.seen thatthe plates 34 may pivot sidewise or transversely with respect to'the rod 24 about the vertical axis of the pivot pin or bolt 32. 'I'his result is best indicated in broken lines in Figure 4. The provision of this feature in the invention is important, since it guards against accidental breakage of the hitch by the application of excessive force to the hitch in a direction transversely of the line of draft. Such force may result, for example, from an extremely short turn of the towing vehicle at which time the hitchl and towing vehicle become cramped The forward end of the sleeve 28 at the portion thereof within the housing I8 carries a block 38 upon which is mounted on a transverse axis a roller 33. The block is pinned or otherwise l secured to the sleeve 28 but is not secured to the 4 rod 24. The lower portion of the block is provided with a bearing 40 which is slidable upon the upper inner bearing surface 2I provided on the plate 20, as previously referred to. In addition to its function as part of the brake-actuating means to be presently described, the block 38 serves the function of a stop means as a component part of the cushioning means between As will be noted from an examination of Figure 2, the block 38 in its forwardmost position abuts a boss 4I formed as an integral part of the inner portion of the front wall I8 of the housing I6.

From the description thus far, it will be seen that towing forces exerted by the towing vehicle are taken by the cushioning means or spring 31 through the medium of the cooperation between the spring and the hitch parts 48, 24, and 28 and the stop means provided by the parts 21, 23, and 4I. Exertion of a force tending to move the rod 24 forwardly with respect to the hitch part I4 results in compression of the spring 31 against the nut 23 on the sleeve 28. Since the sleeve carries the sliding block 38, which in turn abuts the boss 4I on the wall- I8, there will be relative separation in a forward direction between-the rod 24 and the sleeve 28, this relative movement or separation being cushioned by the action of the spring 31. When the towing vehicle is backed, the rod 24 and sleeve 28 will move rearwardly as a unit into the hitch part I4, because of the abutment between the clevis plates 34 and the transverse plate 30 on he front of the sleeve 28. This relative movement rearwardly between the hitch parts; I4 and 24 is normally unopposed, since the members 21 and 23 are freely slidable in the tubular hitch part I4. This free movement is limited only by a. stop in the form of a transverse 'pin 42 carried by the hitch part I4 at a point longitudinally spaced rearwardly of the normal position of the member 21. Since in certain circumstances this free movement may be undesirable, there has been provided in the hitch part I4 an aperture 43 on a transverse axis disposed almost immediately rearwardly of the rear portion of the member 21.' Any convenient bar or pin may be inserted through the aperture acuosa j 3 u to provide an additional atop or lock means for cooperation with the member 21. In such instance, the member l27| becomes rigid with rein a direction tending -to collapse or telescope those results in movement of the roller 39 rearwardly. -The roller then engages the arm 59 and swings the same about the pivot provided necting rod CI is moved rearwardly to operate the piston in the master cylinder 44 for the purpose of forcing brake fluid through the lines 49 and n to the braking mechanism incniding the the invention with means for operating braking mechanism on the trailer. To this end the housing Il includes as a part thereof Aor provides a support for brake-operating mechanism having a master uid or hydraulic cylinder indicated generally at 44. 'I'his cylinder may be of any conventional construction and therefore has not been illustrated in greater detail. 'I'his cylinder forms a part of a uid or hydraulic braking system for the trailer, this system including, as best shown in Figure 3, brake drums 45 on the trailer wheels II and I2 suitably connected by iluid lines 4l and 41 between the rear and front wheels respectively and the master cylinder 44.

-The housing I9 is providedat its upperportion with a part of the improved brake-actuating mechanism. The front Wall I8 of the housing is provided with a Abore 43 on a longitudinal axis drums 4l on the trailer wheels II and I2.

An important feature of the invention is the construction and arrangement of the brake-actuating means comprising the roller 39 and the arm 39 and the resilient supporting of the arm 59 in the housing I9. The arm 59 is so shaped -as to' provide acam portion cooperable with the paralleling the axis of the telescopic hitch parts.

The rear wall I1 is provided at its upper portion -with a coaxially threaded bore intoA which is threaded the rear end of a longitudinally extending rod 49. 'Ihe front end -of the rod is provided with a portion 50 adapted to receive a key or wrench for the purpose of providing means for the installation, removal, or adjusting of the rod in the housing I6. The rod 49 slidably carries at a forward portion thereof a pivot block 5I. This block has a pair of oppositely extending transverse trunnions 52 that pass through the opposite forward ends of a U-shaped strap member 53. The rearward or bight portion of` the member 53 is adjacent the upper portion of the wall I1 and is apertured as at 54 so thatthe rod 49 may pass freely therethrough. The rod 49 is provided just rearwardly of the slidable block 5I with a stop portion 55 rigidly thereon. A washer 58 encircles the rod 49 and abuts the stop 55. A compression coil spring 51 provides resilient means acting between the wa'sher 56 and a-second washer 58 that abuts the bight portion of the member 53. 'Ihe action of the spring is such as to urge rearwardly the assembly consisting ofthe member 53 and slidable block 5I. In other words,

the member 53 and block 5I may move toward the front Wall I8 of the housing I6 against the compression of the spring 51 as abutting the stop 55 on the rod 49.

'I'he trunnion members 52 on th'e slidable block 5I serve to carry swingably thereon a depending arm 59, the lower portion of which is arranged in the path of rearward movement of the roller 39 on the sleeve 39 of the hitch I3. An intermediate portion of the arml 59 is connected by a pin 50 to a rod 6I having its other end provided with a ball 52 carried in the socket of a, longitudinally slidable member 63. This member is slidably carried in a. sleeve portion 64 of the rearwall I1 ofthe housing I6 and is reciprocable to operate the piston, notshown, of the master brake cylinder. 44.

It will be seen from the description thus far that relative movement between the hitch parts roller 39 to provide for an increase in the ratio between the force resulting from relative movement of vthe hitch part and the force applied against the plunger 93 and consequently against the piston in the master cylinder `44. This arrangement results in an original application of forces at a ratio of substantially 1:1, this ratio increasing comparatively rapidly to an ultimate ratio of 16:1, for example. Consequently, initial vrelative movement between the hitch parts as the trailer surges forwardly with respect to the towing vehicle will not` result in a sudden application of the brakes of the trailer but rather will operate t0 take up "slack in the actuating mechanism and in the fluid lines. However, .in-

.creased surging of the trailer rapidly increases the ratio as respects the force to be applied to the` plunger 53, with the result that the brakes are first gently and then more strongly applied. It will .be noted further that the relative movement between the hitch parts as the roller moves rearwardly is relatively slight. This is an important feature inasmuch as it eliminates unnecessarily long hitch 'parts heretofore required to accommodate vthe necessary application of forces between the hitch parts and the brakeactuating mechanism.

The operation of the improved hitch construction and its associated brake-actuating mechanism should be apparent from the foregoing description of the structure thereof. The several important features of the invention should be noted. For example, it will be seen that the principles of the invention as embodied /in the preferred form `illustrated and described provide brake-actuating mechanismv having a powerful mechanical leverage without excessive relative movement or telescoping of the hitch parts. This substantially enclosed, it can be supplied with a quantity of lubricant and the working parts of the structure can thus be adequately lubricated.

Another important feature is that the connecting rod 6I exerts lno side thrust on the piston of the master cylinder 44, this thrust being taken `wholly by the plunger 63 which slides in the integral sleeve 34 of the rear wall I1 of the housing I6.

'I'he spring 51 on the support or rod 49 at the upper portion of the housing I6 serves to eliminate vshocks on the pivot point or trunnions 52,

the relief or resiliency provided for by the spring being very similar to the flexibility of ones ankle as pressure is applied to an ordinary brake pedal.

The heavy coil spring 31 serves at least lthree important functions, viz., it maintains a tension between the clevis plates 34- and the transverse plate 30, as previously described; it cushions the shock when the trailer is started'forw^.rd or backward; it providesa cushioned stop upon telescoping" of the hitch parts to prevent excessive movement of the plunger 63 and consequent excessive movement of the piston i'n the master cylinder 4l, and thus eliminates they possibility of damage to these comparatively delicate parts. Another feature of the invention is the association between the transverse pin d2 and the member 2 and the transverse aperture i3 through which may be inserted any convenient rod or bar for the accomplishment of the purposes heretofore described.

Undoubtedly other impcrtant features of the inventicn will become apparent to those skilled in the art, it will be understood, of course, that the foregoing description and illustrations are of a preferred embodiment of the invention and that numerous modifications and alterations may made therein without departing from the spirit Vand scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Nhat is claimed is:

l. A hitch comprising a first member adapted to be connected to a source of draft power, a second member adapted to be connected to an object to be drawn, resilient means connected between said members for relative movement of the members along the line of draft, means connecting said members` for relative movement transversely of the line of draft, and releasable means normally holding said members against the second named movement and releasable upon relative movement of said members along the line of draft.

2. A hitch comprising a rst member adapted to be connected to a source of draft power, a second member adapted to be connected to an object to be drawn, means connecting said members for relative movement transversely of the line of draft, releasable means normally holding the members against said movement, and means responsive to an excess of force applied against at least one of the members transversely of the line of force to release the releasable means for permitting the aforesaid relative movement.

3. A hitch comprising a first member adapted to be connected to a source of draft power, a second member adapted to be connected to an object to be drawn, resilient means connected between said members for relative separation of the members along the line of draft, means connecting' said members for relative movement transversely of the line of draft, and lock means including interengaging portions on the members normally holding said members against the second named movement, said portions being normally held in engagement by the aforesaid resilient means.

4. A hitch vcomprising a first member, a second member, resilient means connected between said members for relative movement of said members, a third member, means connecting the second and third members for relative movement, and lock means normally engaged between the first and third members for preventing said relative movement between the second and third members, said lock means being releasable upon relative movement between the rst and second members. i

5. A hitch comprising a first member, a second member, resilient means connected between said members for relative movement of said members along the line of draft, a third member, means connecting the second and third mem-- bers for relative movement transversely of the line of draft, and lock means normally engaged between the first and third members for preventing said relative transverse movement between the second and third members, said lock means being releasable upon relative movement along the line of draft between the first and second members.y

6. A hitch comprisinga first member, a second member arranged for relative sliding movement along the line of draft, a third member pivcted to the second member and including a portion normally engaging the first member to preond member arranged for relative sliding movement along the iine of draft, a third member pivoted to the second member, lock means between the third and rst members to prevent relative pivoting between the second and third members, whereby reiative sliding movement between the first and second members permit the relative pivoting between the second and third members. Y

,8. A brake-hitch comprising a first member, a second member, means mounting said members for relative movement along the line of draft, a support, means mounting the support on the first member for movement with respect to said first member along the line of draft, yielding means maintaining a predetermined position of the support with respect to the first member, an arm pivoted to the support on an axis transverse to the line of draft for swinging movement of the arm along the line of draft, means on the second member including a roller engageable with'the swingable arm whereby relative movement of said members along the line of draft will effect swinging of the arm, and means adapting said arm for connection to brake-operating mechanism.

9. A brake-hitch for vconnection between a first vehicle and a second vehicle having brakes, comprising a first hitch part adapted for connection to one vehicle, an intermediate member carried by said hitch part for movement in two direc-v tions with respect to the hitch part, means limiting relative movement of said member in one direction, a second hitchpart adapted for connec- Y' tion to the second vehicle, means slidably carrying said second hitch part on the intermediate member for cushoned movement in one direcate member and engageable with said element upon rearward movement of the first hitch part and intermediate member with respect to the first hitch part.

10.y A brake-hitch comprising a flrst member, a second member, means mounting said members for relative movement along the line of draft, a support carried by the first member, an arm slidably pivoted to the support on an axis transverse to the line of draft for swinging movement along the line of draft, said arm including a cam portion, means on the second member including a roller engageable with the cam portion of the swingable arm whereby relative movement of said members along the line of draft will effect swinging of -the arm, and means 'adapting said arm for connection to brake-operating mechanism.

11. A brake-hitch comprising a pair f members relatively movable along the line of draft, a rod carried by one member and extending along the line of draft, a pivot member slidable along the rod, yielding means maintaining anormal position of said pivot member, an arm swingable on the pivot member generally along the line of draft, means on the other of the aforesaid members engageable withl the arm upon relative movement of said members, and means adapting the arm forvconnection to brake mechanism.

12. A brake-hitch comprising a pair of members relatively movable along the line of draft, a rod carried by one member and extending along the line of draft, a pivot member slidable along the rod, tensioning means maintaining a normal position of said pivot member, means for adjusting said tensioning means, an arm swingable on the pivot member generally along the line of draft, meanson the other of the aforesaid members engageable with the arm upon relative movement of said members, and means adapting the arm for connection to brake mechanism.

13. A brake-hitch comprisinga pair of members relatively movable along the line of draft,

a rod carried by one member -and extending along the line of draft, a brake-actuating member slidable along the rod, yielding means maintaining a normal position ofy said member, means on the other of the aforesaid members engageable with the brake-actuating member upon relative movement of said members, and means adapting the brake-actuating means for connection to brake mechanism.

14. A brake-hitch comprising a first hitch part. a second hitch part, means connecting said parts support, and brake-actuating means including toggle mechanism carried by the first hitch part and operable by the aforesaid member upon relative movement of said hitch parts.

16. A brake-hitch comprising a first hitch part, a secondhitch part, means' connecting said parts for relative movement along the line of draft, a member connected to the second hitch part for movement therewith, and brake-actuating means l carried by the rst hitch part and operable by the aforesaid member upon relative movement of said hitch'parts, said brake-actuating means including toggle mechanism arranged to increase rapidly the ratio between forces applied by the brakeactuating means and the amount of relative movement of said hitch parts.

17. A hitch comprising a pair of hitch parts, means connecting said parts for relative movement inopposite directions along the line of draft, cushion means connected to one part, means connected to the other part and engageable with the l cushion means to cushion relative movementv of said parts in one directionl means connected to said second named part and arranged with respect to the cushion means to permit limited uncushioned relative movement of said parts in the opposite direction. and means connectable optionally between said second named part and the cushion means to provide for immediate cushioning of the relative movement of saidv parts in said opposite direction.

18. A brake hitch comprising one member attached to a pulling vehicle, a second member attached to a trailing vehicle, means permitting limited relative movementof the two members, a lever arm operatively connected to lone of said members and shiftable upon relative movement of said members, said lever arm having two shiftable fulcrums, brake operating means for said trailing vehicle engaging said lever arm at one of said shiftable fulcrums, and resilient means yieldfor relative movement along the line of draft, a

support carried by the first hitch part, a member connected to the second hitch part for movement therewith and slidably bearing on the aforesaid Y support, and a brake-actuating member carried by the first hitch part and engageable 'by the ably fixing the` other of said shiftable fulcrums, whereby the brake operating means will be actuated until a-,force is attained sufllcient toovercome the resilient means and to shift the other fulcrum.

19. A brake hitch comprising one member attached to a pulling vehicle, a second member attached to a trailing vehicle having brakes, means permitting limited relative movement of the two members upon overrunning of the trailing vehicles, a brake actuating means, said lmeans 'including avlever operably connected to one of said members and shiftable upon relative movement of saidmembers, brake applying means engageable by said lever and operable upon shifting of the lever, and means associated with said' brake actuating means yieldable after ka predetermined i vlever without applying excessive force on the brake applying means.

GoaDoN G. MCNAMARA, un. 

